May
2003 ********************************************
IN THIS ISSUE
Welcome Notes
The Concept of Power Networking
News
and Announcements
Contact Information
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WELCOME
NOTES
Welcome
to the inaugural newsletter of Rainmaker-Strategies. It is my
desire to assist you in growing your business. Each monthly newsletter
will contain a business-building tip or strategy that will help
you take your business to the next level. If there are specific
topics or questions that you would like to see addressed, please
send me an email at Barbara@Rainmaker-Strategies.com
and I will be happy to include them in an upcoming issue.
THE
CONCEPT OF POWER NETWORKING
I
think we would all agree that building relationships is key to
growing your business. Not only is it important in bringing in
new business, but it is critical in inspiring loyalty in a current
customer.
Authors
Sandy Vilas and Donna Fisher coined the phrase, “power networking”
in their book by the same name. Power networking, they explain,
is a process that consists of “gathering, collecting, and
distributing information for the mutual benefit of you and the
people in your network.” I love that definition. The concept
of power networking is such that we don’t have to feel like
we are selling when we’re out there interacting with people.
It’s all about what we can do for others, rather than what
others can do for us. Included in this concept is the idea of
giving while expecting nothing in return. No strings attached!
In other words, if you meet someone at an event, rather than trying
to “sell” to that person, try instead to really listen
to what’s going on and see if there is someone in your network
who would be beneficial for this new person to meet. The good
deed you do by putting these people together will come back ten-fold.
One
of the great benefits of power networking is that once the paradigm
has shifted, and you truly embrace the power networking mindset,
doing things such as “working a room” are no longer
the dreaded ordeals they once were.
Consider
how wonderful it would be to actually enjoy attending a networking
event. If you are a power networker you will look forward to such
events because you are there to put people together for their
mutual benefit. You can do this by putting one person at the event
together with another in the room, or by putting a person who
is not in the room together with a person who is in the room.
You
will also attend the event with the mindset that you are a host,
not a guest. If you feel like a host, you will want to make your
guests comfortable. Don’t discuss the weather, instead ask
something like, “Is this your first conference?” or
“Have you heard this keynote speaker before?” The
idea is to find common ground that will lead to further conversation,
which will begin building the relationship!
Do
you see the value in the power-networking concept? It is indeed
a way of thinking that is light years ahead of the old paradigm
of interacting with others for the sole purpose of selling them
something. Power networking is more than a way of doing business;
it’s a lifestyle for success. Helping others, sharing resources
and distributing information without expecting anything in return
may not seem natural or comfortable to you at first, but it WILL
pay huge dividends over time. Give it a try!
NEWS
AND ANNOUNCEMENTS:
For
those who reside in the San Diego area, you may be interested
in attending my one-day course on business development for professionals.
This course, entitled, “Making Rain Out of Mist,”
will be held at UCSD Extension in Sorrento Valley on June 7, 2003,
from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Cost is $159 and includes a gourmet
lunch.
This is a
high energy, information packed day! Come learn
how to:
For more information,
please contact me at
Barbara@Rainmaker-Strategies.com
or 858-566-5585, or
Marla Goonan, UCSD Extension, at mgoonan@ucsd.edu or
858-882-8014.
****************************************
Barbara Nichols
Mencer
Rainmaker Strategies
Barbara@Rainmaker-Strategies.com
www.rainmaker-strategies.com
If you’ve
enjoyed this article and learned a valuable business-
building tip, please feel free to forward this newsletter to your
friends and colleagues.
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Copyright 2003, All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole
or in part without permission is prohibited.
